Payne Skate Park closes until thief gives items back

Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11:41 p.m.

SARASOTA - After a thief signed "Hertznotz" on a UPS delivery and stole $560 worth of skateboarding gear from the nonprofit that runs Payne Skate Park, Sk8Skool's director decided to shut the park down until the boards, trucks and wheels were returned.

He did not anticipate the backlash that would erupt.

On Sunday, skateboarding coach Dan Giguere put up a sign at the skate park and posted a notification on the park's Facebook page: when the package is returned, the park will reopen.

He apologized to members, offered to add days or weeks to their park passes to compensate for the closure and wished them a happy holiday.

The message sparked dozens of Facebook posts from people who lambasted the closure of the park, calling it vindictive and childish.

"I was getting ready to leave the house to head down there. That's our weekend tradition, why I bought a member pass," one person wrote. "Please don't punish us for someone else's behavior."

Giguere said he was shocked by the response, and said there is more to the story and his decision to temporarily close the skatepark. He declined to say what he believed happened, calling it speculation.

"I did what I thought was in the best interest of the skate park and the staff," Giguere said. "Everyone can be a tough guy on the Internet, but when it comes to face to face, are they really going to say this without knowing all the facts?"

With looming rent and insurance payments, Giguere said closing the park, even for a short time, was a tough call.

The manager of Sk8Skool's skate shop said he did not support the move, adding that this is a critical time for holiday sales.

Walling said UPS is responsible for the failed delivery, which was supposed to come after 2 p.m. when the store opened but instead arrived at 11:42 a.m. Dec. 4. It contained some specially ordered Christmas items, Walling said.

UPS is investigating the incident and Walling said he hopes the shop will be reimbursed. Park staff also hopes city security cameras caught some footage of whoever signed for the packages. Sk8Skool has its own cameras but they do not work well, Walling said. If the goods are not returned, he said the skate park will pursue criminal charges. Police have not received a report of the missing gear, Capt. Paul Sutton said Monday.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - After a thief signed "Hertznotz" on a UPS delivery and stole $560 worth of skateboarding gear from the nonprofit that runs Payne Skate Park, Sk8Skool's director decided to shut the park down until the boards, trucks and wheels were returned. </p><p>He did not anticipate the backlash that would erupt. </p><p>On Sunday, skateboarding coach Dan Giguere put up a sign at the skate park and posted a notification on the park's Facebook page: when the package is returned, the park will reopen. </p><p>He apologized to members, offered to add days or weeks to their park passes to compensate for the closure and wished them a happy holiday. </p><p>The message sparked dozens of Facebook posts from people who lambasted the closure of the park, calling it vindictive and childish.</p><p>"I was getting ready to leave the house to head down there. That's our weekend tradition, why I bought a member pass," one person wrote. "Please don't punish us for someone else's behavior."</p><p>Giguere said he was shocked by the response, and said there is more to the story and his decision to temporarily close the skatepark. He declined to say what he believed happened, calling it speculation.</p><p>"I did what I thought was in the best interest of the skate park and the staff," Giguere said. "Everyone can be a tough guy on the Internet, but when it comes to face to face, are they really going to say this without knowing all the facts?"</p><p>With looming rent and insurance payments, Giguere said closing the park, even for a short time, was a tough call.</p><p>The manager of Sk8Skool's skate shop said he did not support the move, adding that this is a critical time for holiday sales.</p><p>"I think it's like shooting ourselves in the foot," manager Mike Walling said. </p><p>Walling said UPS is responsible for the failed delivery, which was supposed to come after 2 p.m. when the store opened but instead arrived at 11:42 a.m. Dec. 4. It contained some specially ordered Christmas items, Walling said. </p><p>UPS is investigating the incident and Walling said he hopes the shop will be reimbursed. Park staff also hopes city security cameras caught some footage of whoever signed for the packages. Sk8Skool has its own cameras but they do not work well, Walling said. If the goods are not returned, he said the skate park will pursue criminal charges. Police have not received a report of the missing gear, Capt. Paul Sutton said Monday.</p>